As the New Year enlists calls for celebration, The Arc of Howard County has another reason to raise several glasses: celebrating an impressive legacy of assisting individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) for the past six decades. It began as a parent-support group in 1961 that sought to find alternative care methods for their children with disabilities. Over the years the nonprofit has become a staple in the community, dedicated to providing vital resources to Howard County adults with IDD’s. Today, the Arc continues their efforts by providing individualized support and is committed to providing resources for members to gain employment, live in the community, have transportation, as well as providing day/senior and respite services. Barbara Moyer, Director of Marketing, Communications and Events at The Arc of Howard County, reminisces about her experiences working at the Arc, a more rewarding position then she could have ever hoped for. 

Barbara Moyer, Director of Marketing, Communications and Events at The Arc of Howard County

Moyer’s introduction to the Arc began as an unexpected opportunity. Before working for the nonprofit, Moyer was involved in the corporate world working as a sales trainer at the Jenny Craig Corporation in New York. While raising a family of four children, Moyer sought to find a job where she could maintain her work/life balance. Known as the mom that ‘invited everyone to the party,’ Moyer’s heart for inclusion led her to finding an opportunity at the Arc. “Many times when I would have an event and invite all of my neighbors and friends, the parents of children with a disability would always remember that they were included,” Moyer remembers. Despite her initial lack of experience in working with people with disabilities, her passion for the field grew exponentially as she was introduced to the lives of many people in the community. “Unfortunately discrimination against people with a disability still has prevalence in society, and we’re working to change that.” Moyer’s organization and event-planning skills serve her exceptionally well in her role at the Arc. A woman with many hats, part of her responsibilities include planning fundraising and communal events for the members of the Arc to engage with the community. Over the course of the last decade, the Arc has had a collage of exciting events that provide a platform of advocacy for the disabled community in Howard County. 

Chocolate Ball 2020 (L to R): County Executive Calvin Ball, County Council Member Christiana Rigby, Executive Director Cindy Parr, County Council Member Deb Jung, Rick Reid as Willy Wonka, Delegate Terri Hill, Martie Dyer as the Beautiful Candy Fairy, Delegate Trent Kittleman, Council Member Opel Jones.